Sample

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Swift River  By  cover art

Swift River

By: Essie Chambers
Narrated by: Shayna Small, Janina Edwards, Robin Miles
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.49

Buy for $19.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT

Publisher's summary

A READ WITH JENNA TODAY SHOW BOOK CLUB PICK | A Most Anticipated Book from Today, Real Simple, Time, Los Angeles Times, and BookPage

“The book we all need to revive our souls” (Nicole Dennis-Benn): A sweeping family saga about the complicated bond between mothers and daughters, the disappearance of a father, and the long-hidden history of a declining New England mill town.

“A powerful novel about how our family history shapes us. Swift River broke my heart, and then offered me hope.”Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

It’s the summer of 1987 in Swift River, and Diamond Newberry is learning how to drive. Ever since her Pop disappeared seven years ago, she and her mother hitchhike everywhere they go. But that’s not the only reason Diamond stands out: she’s teased relentlessly about her weight, and since Pop’s been gone, she is the only Black person in all of Swift River. This summer, Ma is determined to declare Pop legally dead so that they can collect his life insurance money, get their house back from the bank, and finally move on.

But when Diamond receives a letter from a relative she’s never met, key elements of Pop’s life are uncovered, and she is introduced to two generations of African American Newberry women, whose lives span the 20th century and reveal a much larger picture of prejudice and abandonment, of love and devotion. As pieces of their shared past become clearer, Diamond gains a sense of her place in the world and in her family. But how will what she’s learned of the past change her future?

A story of first friendships, family secrets, and finding the courage to let go, Swift River is a sensational debut about how history shapes us and heralds the arrival of a major new literary talent.

©2024 Essie Chambers (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Dear Listener,

How did my own family history influence my debut novel?
"I’ve always been haunted by the holes in my family tree. On the white side of my family, I can trace my ancestry all the way back to a founding father. But like so many Black Americans, I’m unable to go back further than a few generations on my father’s side. I wanted to write about someone who went from being rootless and without knowledge of where their family came from to rooted and transformed by their history. Swift River is, in many ways, an ancestor story, while also paying homage to my ancestors who made the Great Migration from rural Georgia."– Essie Chambers, writer of Swift River

More from the same

What listeners say about Swift River

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Atrocious performance

I rarely attempt to return books, this one I will certainly return. I don’t know about the empowering women’s epic, I never got to it as I didn’t have the resilience to listen more to the narrator’s croaking voice, but the story and the writing didn’t convince me to overcome my distaste for the narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Swift River

Decent for a debut, but I got lost during translation. The mom sounded confused all the time but I loved that she loved her daughter. Dad’s disappearance bothered me and the back and forth family letters sounded like the aunt was more about her life vs Diamond. Then the end of book was rushed.
The reason I downloaded the book was because it was recommended. For that reason, I may keep in my library. Otherwise, I’d return it. Perhaps I still have some hidden biases that surfaced during and after reading this book. The mixed children I’ve read about and those I’ve met often seem confuse. This story is no different.
What surprised me most is that the book was published by Simon & Schuster - I just wonder who’s a friend of a friend because this book would NEVER make it otherwise. Sorry. 🤷🏾‍♂️

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

strong family ties

This story did not hold my interest. it was too strung out and no "wow" factor in my opinion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I made myself finish it

A bit confusing and no ending to one of the main story lines. What happened to Pops?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It was just ok

The back and forth in timeline was confusing at times. The ending tied up only part of the story. I didn't care for the ending. It left you hanging- it felt incomplete.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I needed a few more chapters.

I didn’t like how the last two chapters were wrapped up so quickly. There was so much description into other parts and characters, but then the book just essentially ended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating characters

So many moments reminded me of so many moments... I want to start over with a paper copy so I can scribble in the margins!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Worthy Read

The storyline seemed to drag a bit initially, but the latter chapters brought the story together. The author did a great job bridging the gaps between generations.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Exquisite Coming of Age Story

I was riveted to the story on the first page. The authors writing is so beautiful and colorful. I laughed, I cried and I was up all night listening. The narration is phenomenal ****chef’s kiss.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

How confusing the entire story was

I’m not entirely sure what I just read! This story was far from captivating. A complete waste of time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!